Brisbane floods

As I write this, I am watching TV news coverage of the enfolding flood crisis in Queensland. I did not imagine that barely a month after arriving here in Brisbane, my adopted city would be facing a disaster of this magnitude.

Samford's Cedar Creek Road. Picture: Sarah Fraser O'Brien

Today the sun is shining but this will not change the ever rising flood waters. A little earlier I heard a helicopter overhead – the one positive thing is that the clearing weather will enable search and rescue teams to start the heartbreaking task of searching for flood victims.

When I visited the city previously, I took a ride on the Citycat ferry – now not running because of debris in the river – this photograph is of the Eagle Street jetty in better times. Now the jetty is under water and the level of the river is only likely to reach its peak tomorrow. The Couriermail Mail Gallery has photos of the many parts of Bribane that are flooded.

Eagle Street Jetty July 2007
Picture: Carol Lee Beckx



Jan 12: A tug in the Brisbane River near the Eagle Street Pier. Picture: Peter Wallis

Last week when I parked my car for my visit the Gallery of Modern Art I did not imagine  that the car park entrance would look like this. When I wrote the previous post,  New delights to discover  – a flooded city centre was the furthest thing from my mind.  Now I imagine the Galleries, City library and Museums are taking measures to protect the buildings from the rising water.
These images are going to be replaced by far worse in the coming days.

Jan 12: The Performing Arts Centre precinct at Southbank. Picture: Sean Parnell

The following image is of the 1974 Flood level marker in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens taken in 2007. Levels this time are predicted to far exceed these levels, as high as 5.5 metres.



The 1974 Flood level sign in Brisbane Botanic Gardens
Picture : Carol Lee Beckx



Yesterday morning our family started the day as usual – going to work and doing some grocery shopping.  As conditions deteriorated, we hastened to complete essential tasks, abandoned other plans and returned home early. We are  planning to stay in until the situation improves. Fortunately we do not live near the large rivers, but nevertheless we will be affected as supplies to shops become problematic. 

I am thankful that my family is safe. My thanks to the many friends who have been checking to see that we are safe. My heart goes out to the many people who have suffered devastating losses. We can all only work together to rebuild and recover. 

New delights to discover...

One of the joys of being an artist in a new city is that there is so much to discover. I  had visited  Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art previously, so it's good to know that I will be able visit often and have to so much inspiration on my doorstep.

The current exhibition -  21st Century : Art in the first decade was simply such fun. What really made an impact on me was  the busy, happy vibe of the exhibition - the space was crowded with people - young old and in between.  Many of the exhibits involved audience participation, especially aimed at children. In fact, the Gallery has a programme called 21st Century kids designed to encourage younger members.

Admittedly, outdoor Brisbane hasn't exactly been the best lately with all the rain, so perhaps it was inevitable that the exhibition should prove popular. However, I didn't get the impression that people were hiding from the weather - they all seemed to be absorbed in the art.

 A sense of fun and excitement filled the space. One installation was a room filled with the most beautiful  purple balloons - approximately 3000. Both parents and children were suitably armed with identification tags and could then go inside the room to play in amoungst the balloons which swamped small kids - here and there you could see a parent's head pop above the mass of moving, jumping,colour.

and more moving colour....as every now and again the mass of balloons would explode upwards as they popped high up into the air.



Work No. 956: Half the air in a given space (purple) 2008
Martin Creed



There was another wall running the length of the central foyer that is festooned with brightly coloured silk ribbons. I wish your wish is the work of Brazilian artist Rivane Neuenschwander

Visitors select a wish – printed on the ribbons, tie it around their wrist and replace it with their own wish written on the slip of paper provided. it is believed that when the ribbon wears away and falls off, the wish will come true.

The wish I selected was – I wish I had all the books in the world – this seemed a touch greedy so I replaced it with the following: I wish to write a book one day, just in case my wish comes true.

Minimal still life

Still Life # 4 Woven Basket -watercolour on paper -120mm x 120mm

© Carol Lee Beckx

This type of minimal image fascinates me.
There is very little happening, and yet the subtle shadows and restricted palette of grubby blues and greys create, I hope, mood and atmosphere.